Introduction
Learning numbers is a fast way to unlock practical Brazilian Portuguese. This guide focuses on using numbers for age, money, addresses, and time. You will learn vocabulary, sample phrases, common patterns, and beginner tips so you can read signs, tell the time, count money, give your age, and understand addresses in Brazil.
Basic number vocabulary
Start with the digits and tens. These building blocks let you form larger numbers.
zero — zero
um — one (masculine), uma — one (feminine)
dois — two (masculine), duas — two (feminine)
três — three
quatro — four
cinco — five
seis — six
sete — seven
oito — eight
nove — nine
dez — ten
onze, doze, treze, quatorze/catorze, quinze, dezesseis, dezessete, dezoito, dezenove
vinte — twenty; trinta — thirty; quarenta — forty; cinquenta — fifty
sessenta, setenta, oitenta, noventa, cem — one hundred
cento is used in 101+; duzentos, trezentos, quatrocentos, quinhentos, mil — one thousand
How to combine numbers
Portuguese forms compound numbers by placing units after tens with the word e meaning and. For example: 21 = vinte e um.
Examples:
vinte e um — 21
trinta e cinco — 35
cento e dois — 102
Tip: use um or uma depending on the gender of the noun that follows, like um carro or uma casa.
Age: asking and saying how old
Age is one of the most common uses of numbers in conversation. The verb ter means to have and is used for age in Portuguese, not to be.
Common phrases:
Quantos anos você tem? — How old are you?
Eu tenho vinte e cinco anos. — I am 25 years old.
Ela tem dezessete anos. — She is 17 years old.
Pronunciation tips: anos is plural; for one year say Eu tenho um ano. when referring to a baby.
Short answers you might hear:
Tenho trinta. — I am thirty.
Tenho vinte e um. — I am twenty-one.
Common mistake: using ser instead of ter. In Portuguese, do not say Eu sou vinte anos; say Eu tenho vinte anos.
Money: reais and centavos
Brazilian currency is the real (plural reais) and centavos. When speaking prices, use the currency name or symbols and combine numbers with reais and centavos.
Key words:
real (singular), reais (plural)
centavo (singular), centavos (plural)
Examples for prices:
R$ 5,00 — cinco reais
R$ 1,50 — um real e cinquenta centavos or um e cinquenta
R$ 0,75 — setenta e cinco centavos
In speech Brazilians often drop the word reais and say numbers more casually:
Custa quinze. — It costs fifteen (reais).
Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?
Custa vinte e nove reais. — It costs twenty-nine reais.
Using decimals and commas: Brazilians write decimals with a comma, so 1.50 in English is 1,50 in Brazil. When speaking, say cinquenta centavos, not ponto cinquenta.
Shopping examples:
Quanto é? — R$ 12,00 — Doze reais
Eu vou pagar com cartão. — I will pay with card.
Tip: When asking for change or reading receipts, listen for reais and centavos. Practice hearing cinquenta, vinte, dez, cinco, dois and one-centavo amounts.
Addresses: numbers in streets and apartment numbers
Addresses use cardinal numbers and ordinals sometimes for floors. Most forms list street names and house/apartment numbers as in English, but with Portuguese numbering.
Key vocabulary:
rua — street
avenida — avenue
número or nº — number
apartamento — apartment
bloco — block
andar — floor
Examples:
Rua das Flores, número 123 — Rua das Flores, 123
Avenida Paulista, nº 1578, apartamento 42 — Avenida Paulista, 1578, apt 42
Ele mora no terceiro andar. — He lives on the third floor.
Ordinal numbers for floors:
primeiro — first (1º)
segundo — second (2º)
terceiro — third (3º)
Note: Some building systems label the ground floor as térreo. In casual speech you can say térreo or primeiro andar depending on the building, so check signs or ask.
Practical phrases:
Qual é o seu endereço? — What is your address?
Meu endereço é Rua das Palmeiras, 45, bloco B, apartamento 301. — My address is Rua das Palmeiras, 45, block B, apartment 301.
Time: telling and asking the time
Brazilian Portuguese uses both the 12-hour and 24-hour formats. People commonly say horas with numbers and add da manhã, da tarde, or da noite to clarify.
Key vocabulary:
hora — hour/time
meia — half (used for half past)
e — and
da manhã — in the morning
da tarde — in the afternoon
da noite — in the evening/night
Examples:
Que horas são? — What time is it?
São duas horas. — It is two o’clock.
São três e quinze. — It is 3:15.
São cinco e meia. — It is 5:30.
É uma hora. — It is 1:00 (note singular for one).
Using 24-hour time for schedules and transport:
O voo sai às 14:30. — The flight leaves at 14:30.
O trem chega às 07:05. — The train arrives at 07:05.
Casual speech often shortens minutes: use quinze for quarter past or quarter to contextually:
São quinze para as seis. — It is quarter to six.
Useful practice phrases:
A aula começa às oito da manhã. — Class starts at eight in the morning.
Vamos nos encontrar às sete e meia da noite. — Let’s meet at 7:30 PM.
Common beginner mistakes and tips
1. Mixing gender: Remember um for masculine nouns and uma for feminine nouns. For ages use Eu tenho vinte anos (no gender needed for anos).
2. Using ser for age: Use ter, not ser.
3. Decimal commas: Brazilians write decimals with a comma. When you read prices aloud, say reais and centavos instead of ponto.
4. Pronouncing cinquenta, sessenta, oitenta: Practice the nasal and vowel sounds; listening to native speech helps.
5. Time of day: Add da manhã, da tarde, or da noite to avoid confusion when using the 12-hour clock.
Practical mini-dialogues for practice
At a market
Vendedor: Quanto custa essa maçã?
Cliente: Dois reais.
At a bus stop
Pessoa: Que horas passa o ônibus?
Passante: Ele passa às seis e quinze da tarde.
Giving an address
Recepcionista: Qual é o seu endereço?
Visitante: Rua das Américas, número 220, apartamento 12.
Asking someone’s age
Amigo: Quantos anos você tem?
Você: Eu tenho vinte e oito anos.
Conclusion
Numbers are essential for everyday interactions in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on core vocabulary for digits, money, addresses, and time. Use the examples and mini-dialogues to practice listening and speaking. With these practical phrases and common tips you will be able to ask ages, read prices, give addresses, and tell the time confidently in Brazil.
